Reception Tips: How to Design the Area
The first thing office visitors see is the reception, so this zone deserves special attention. A cosy, well-thought-out interior raises the trust of clients and partners, and the reception desk becomes the “face” by which a company is judged from the doorstep.
This guide gathers practical reception tips: how to choose the placement, construction, form, materials and lighting to create a welcoming entrance area. After all, a reception should be not only beautiful but also functional, convenient and practical — it is both a company’s calling card and a full-fledged workplace for the administrator.
What the reception area is
A reception is a desk at the entrance that serves as a place for registering and advising guests. Administrators spend their workday behind it, so it’s important that the construction be presentable yet practical and convenient to work at.
The reception is also the first orientation point for a visitor: a well-placed desk immediately shows where to go and sets the wayfinding through the office. So it’s worth considering alongside the design of the entrance area — more on that in the article Office Corridor: How to Design It Functionally.
Placement and waiting area
The reception is installed in a well-chosen spot so it combines harmoniously with the interior. In small offices the desk is often placed right at the entrance, and in large office centres — in the foyer. Such a location ensures free access to the info desk and prevents crowding.
If space allows, a waiting area is arranged nearby: sofas for guests’ comfort and small tables for filling out documents. This makes visitors’ stay more pleasant even before the meeting begins.
Construction, size and forms of a reception
A reception is a two-level construction with a facade part and an internal block. The upper countertop is what clients see and use, while the lower shelf is adapted to the administrator’s needs; the internal compartment holds office equipment and stores documents.
Size is one of the key criteria: the height should be convenient for a visitor filling out a document but not clutter the administrator’s view, while the width and length are calculated from the room’s size. Depending on the location, the desk’s form is chosen:
- straight;
- U-shaped;
- closed;
- corner;
- arc-shaped.
Smoothed forms hide corners and divert attention from protrusions. U-shaped models make sense in large office and medical centres designed for several administrators. And closed constructions of a round, oval or rectangular shape are placed in the centre of a room — access from all sides lets them meet many visitors at once.
How to choose a reception: materials, lighting and concept
The form, look and size of the desk are chosen to suit the general interior style, the number of employees behind it and the flow of visitors. Here’s what to pay attention to:
- The company’s concept. The specifics of the activity set the style: construction companies often choose stone or brick decor, while a dairy producer leans towards natural colours.
- Sizes. The optimal height is 1.1-1.2 metres; the width and depth can vary.
- Materials. Desks are made from MDF and veneer, particleboard and metal, and also from stone or brick.
- Lighting and decor. Backlighting and decorative elements make the reception an accent of the entrance area.
- Budget and manufacturing time.
The market offers a wide range of models, but if there’s no ready option to match a firm’s concept, a desk can always be made to order.
Reception design with Partner Create
Reception design is worth planning as early as the design stage, so the desk fits harmoniously into the interior and the office’s wayfinding. Partner Create will select or make a reception to match a company’s concept and deliver the entrance area as part of a single complex of works.
Examples of completed offices are in the office spaces portfolio.
Reception design in brief
- A reception is a company’s “face” and the administrator’s workplace; it should be beautiful and functional.
- Placement: the entrance in small offices, the foyer in large ones; a waiting area with sofas nearby.
- The construction is two-level: the upper countertop for clients, the lower part and internal block for the administrator.
- Forms: straight, U-shaped, closed, corner, arc-shaped — to suit the room and visitor flow.
- The optimal height is 1.1-1.2 m; materials are MDF, veneer, particleboard, metal, stone or brick.
- The reception is enhanced with backlighting; a desk can be made to order if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
In small offices the desk is usually placed right at the entrance, and in large office centres — in the foyer. This location ensures free access to the reception and prevents crowding, with a waiting area arranged nearby if needed.
The main forms are straight, U-shaped, closed, corner and arc-shaped. U-shaped models suit large centres for several administrators, while closed ones (round, oval, rectangular) are placed in the centre of a room to meet many visitors at once.
The optimal reception height is 1.1-1.2 metres: it is convenient for a visitor filling out documents while not cluttering the administrator’s view. The width and depth are chosen based on the room’s size.
Desks are made from MDF and veneer, particleboard and metal, and also from stone or brick. The choice of material depends on the company’s concept and interior style; backlighting and decorative elements are added if needed.
Design your reception with Partner Create
A reception is the first impression of a company and a convenient workplace for the administrator. Partner Create will select or make a desk to match your concept and deliver the entrance area alongside the overall office design.
Explore our work in the portfolio, read useful materials on the blog, or get in touch to discuss your project. Call +38 050 388 24 49.
We also recommend Office Corridor: How to Design It Functionally and Office Lighting: How to Get It Right — they will help with the entrance area and reception lighting.